BUSY life in a big city is often filled with unspoken rules of etiquette which locals especially both devote themselves to and expect of others.
It’s also why these locals get particularly upset when these informal norms are not complied to, especially when it impacts the flow of foot traffic.
Most every American city abides by a very similar unspoken code (stock image)[/caption]
Crowded city streets are made maneuverable by these key guidelines (stock image)[/caption]
As tourists who’ve visited know, New York City residents are not only some of the biggest conformers to these rules, but can also be quite vocal about when they’re being broken.
Thankfully, it’s a fairly simple silent code which can be easily conformed to, and it all starts with keeping to the right.
By keeping to the right of the sidewalk in whichever direction you’re going, a smooth flow of foot traffic is created which also prevents collisions with other pedestrians.
Similarly, the single-worst thing you can do when walking on a busy city sidewalk is walk slowly and make sudden full stops.
The former will force others to try and pass you wherever possible, which could in turn disrupt the smooth flow of traffic created by sticking to the right side of the sidewalk.
The latter will cause a chain reaction of people stopping, who’ll undoubtedly get frustrated and may even blame you for some unfortunate spills or mishaps.
These are both extremely awkward situations that can be easily avoided by moving quickly and only stopping after getting out of other traffic’s way.
The final key to a swift flow of city sidewalk traffic is never taking up unnecessary space when traveling in a group.
If you’re traveling with three or more people, ensure you’re either lined up single file or two wide at the most.
Any wider and you risk not giving people going in either direction room to get around you, once again interfering with the previously established unspoken rules.
While these three rules are ironclad and form the basis of city foot traffic philosophy, there are some groups who get an exception.
The elderly and dogwalkers top the pecking order of exceptions due to their extenuating circumstances, with tourists and business persons in a rush getting second rank.
Parents with babies in strollers, teenagers, joggers, and people on e-bikes all play third string here. While they’re all given leniency in one way or another, these groups have the least excuse among them.
One particularly gross act which can alienate even the toughest city residents is the act of spitting on the sidewalk.
Safety tips for pedestrians and cyclists
Every US state has laws designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists. However, there are some tips to increase your safety as a pedestrian or cyclist to help ensure a driver sees you, or when to cross traffic safely.
As a pedestrian or cyclist, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.
Here are some tips for safe travel as a pedestrian.
- Cross the street using marked crosswalks when available, and preferably the corner.
- Utilize the buttons to alert drivers of a crossing pedestrian, and wait until the light is green – as this means the driver’s light is red.
- Pay special attention to drivers who are looking to turn, as they may not see you while making the turn.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Increase your visibility by wearing bright-colored clothing, reflective gear, or even lights during low visibility conditions like rain, fog, dusk, or nighttime.
As a cyclist, it’s important to:
- Obey all traffic laws, lights, and signals. On the road, you are considered a vehicle, and following laws increases your safety.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Use hand signals to communicate to drivers in your intended direction.
- Wear a helmet. Not only is it the law in most states, but it decreases your chance of a serious injury by 63 to 88 percent.
- Use headlights or tail lights while riding at dawn, dusk, or nighttime to increase your visibility.
Source: Arlington County Police Department, National Institute of Health
Doing so is unsanitary and disrespectful to fellow pedestrians, as you’re effectively forcing them to either go around your saliva or suffer on and plow through it.
There’s also the chance that a mistimed spit will hit another pedestrian, a truly worst-case scenario that there’s no coming back from.
There’s a time and place to spit in the city, but walking on the sidewalk is definitely not it.
IRONCLAD LAWS OR FRIENDLY SUGGESTIONS?
While the informal nature of these rules may come off as suggestions to some, it’s a code which should be followed at all times.
Although the exact philosophies of city locals may differ both within the same city and compared to others, each will agree with the general tenets outlined here.
These are in addition to the local legitimate laws certain cities may have, such as those against jaywalking, which some cities are now switching sides on.
